§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation's investigation into the proposed price increase by Phoenix Natural Gas. [168629]
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§ Mr. GardinerFollowing consideration of the Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation (NIAER) report, I met senior representatives of Phoenix Natural Gas on 8 April 2004 when the company agreed to suspend its proposed 20 per cent. increase in gas prices. met Centrica, the wholesale supplier of gas to Phoenix on 19 April 2004 to emphasise the importance of the gas industry to Northern Ireland. I have subsequently urged all parties to work together to reach early resolution of the outstanding issues in order to secure a stable long-term future for the gas industry in Northern Ireland.